Explore Chapter 17 of 'Moment in Peking' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
The next morning, Zeng Wenpu sat in the yamen, reviewing the case of the Niu family. The Niu family was one of the wealthiest in Tai'an. Old Master Niu had served as a magistrate in his early years and, though now retired, his family power remained as formidable as ever. His son, Niu Huaiyu, known as "Young Master Niu," relied on his father's influence to run wild in the city, breaking the law with impunity. A few days earlier, several servants of the Niu family had quarreled in the street with a female street singer. They beat her until her head bled and smashed her pipa. The woman's father brought a complaint to the county court. Zeng Wenpu accepted the petition and had already made up his mind.
The Niu family sent their steward with a gift list of one thousand taels of silver and also asked someone to intercede on their behalf. Zeng Wenpu said sternly, "I handle cases according to the law and show no favoritism. If the Niu family wishes to avoid trouble, let Young Master Niu come to court in person, confess his guilt, and compensate the victim. Then I may impose a lenient sentence. If they remain obstinate, do not blame me for being unyielding." The steward left with a cold reception and reported back. Niu Huaiyu flew into a rage and threatened to appeal to the provincial authorities. Zeng Wenpu paid no heed and ordered the court to convene. He gave each of the offending servants forty strokes of the heavy bamboo, had them cangued and publicly displayed, and also ordered the Niu family to pay two hundred taels of silver as medical expenses for the victim. The news spread throughout the city, and the common people applauded with satisfaction.
No sooner had Zeng Wenpu returned home than he heard that Yao Si'an was in a towering rage. It turned out that Tiren had been associating with Niu Huaiyu and had recently begun frequenting brothels and pleasure quarters with him. Furthermore, in a jealous quarrel over a woman, he had gotten into a fight and broken another man's head. When Yao Si'an learned of this, he trembled with anger and immediately ordered Tiren to be brought to his study. Tiren saw his father's livid face and knew trouble was coming, but still talked back, "I didn't commit murder or arson. I just went out to have some fun with friends. What's the big deal?"
Yao Si'an slammed the table and roared, "You degenerate! Three generations of the Yao family have been upright and honest-how did I end up with such an unfilial son! You refuse to study, loaf around all day, and now you've taken up with that bunch of scoundrels from the Niu family, and you still dare to talk back!" As he spoke, he grabbed the ruler from the desk and prepared to strike. Tiren dodged and hid behind his mother. Mrs. Yao quickly shielded her son, crying, "If you want to beat him, beat me first! Ren'er is still young-we can guide him slowly. Why must you fly into such a rage?"
Mulan and Mochou stood outside the door, hearing the commotion inside but not daring to enter. Mulan sighed to herself: Her brother was truly beyond the pale, but her mother doted on him blindly while her father was too harsh. How could this go on? She recalled her father's frequent saying, "Spoiling a child is as good as killing him." Looking at her brother's situation now, it could not be more true.
After a long and noisy argument, Yao Si'an finally calmed down and said to Tiren, "Since you refuse to study and are unwilling to learn a trade, then get yourself off to Hangzhou and look after the tea business there. If you cause any more trouble, I will disown you!" Tiren dared not argue further and had to bow his head in agreement. Although Mrs. Yao was reluctant to let him go, seeing that her husband had made up his mind, she did not dare to say anything more. Mulan thought to herself: Perhaps this journey will help her brother settle down, which would be a good thing after all.
That evening, Mulan was strolling alone in the courtyard. The moonlight was like water, and the faint fragrance of osmanthus drifted in the air. She thought of the Zeng family in Beijing, and of Sunya and his mischievous manner, and couldn't help smiling. If Manniang were here, she would surely tease her again. Lost in thought, she heard a soft voice behind her: "Sister Lan, what are you thinking about all alone here?" Mulan turned around and saw that it was Sunya, who had somehow slipped into the courtyard and was grinning at her.